Two Pennsylvania cities named best places for millennials

February 13, 2018

Kelly Leighton

Both Harrisburg and Pittsburgh were named two of the best places for millennials in 2018, according to Cubesmart.

The two Pennsylvania cities were both applauded for affordable living, good job opportunities and fun nightlife.

“Harrisburg has had a lot of improvement in the urban quality of living in the city in recent years. It’s so vibrant, and has culture and attractiveness to the area. The cost of living is really low, and the average income is very attractive in comparison. People appreciate that,” said Edwin Tichenor, president of the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors®. “Harrisburg also has proximity to other locations, like Baltimore, Philly, Pittsburgh and New York City, which is very attractive to a younger generation.”

Tichenor said there is something to do in the city for anyone, whether it be sampling different cusines from local restaurants, hiking, biking or skiing.

He said he believes the local housing market looks optimistic, and will remain strong in 2018. “Tax reform may decrease attractiveness of owning a home, but the majority of people still realize it’s a great tool to build equity.”

As for Pittsburgh, Realtors® Association Metropolitan Pittsburgh 2018 President-elect Arch Autenreith said Pittsburgh is often named one of the most affordable places to live, and he said he thinks the housing market is strong and will remain that way.

“Pittsburgh is and has been a great place for millennials and they continue to relocate here. A great example of what’s happening here is Google settled into a 100 year-old Nabisco cookie factory building in the complex called Bakery Square in the uptown area of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is also in the top 20 locations Amazon is considering adding a regional headquarter,” said Autenreith. “Ford also is investing $1 billion in the Pittsburgh-based Argo AI to develop technology for its own self-driving vehicles. Technology-based companies continue to relocate here because of Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh and their robotic and tech courses.”

“Another draw is our health industry with its medical science and research facilities,” Autenreith added. “From the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the busiest transplant center in the world, to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, which ranked one of the ten best in the country for pediatric medicine along with an unparalleled Veterans Administration health care system for our veterans.”

“For millennials purchasing homes in and around Pittsburgh, its stable economy, neighborhoods, diverse nightlife and abundant recreational activities have been a big draw,” he added.